Court Remands 3 Over Alleged Terrorism

Three suspects have been remanded in prison custody by a Lagos Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Ikeja, over alleged terrorism and threat to kill.

Magistrate Margaret Dan-Oni, yesterday, ordered the remand of the defendants in prison custody pending the legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The suspects; Olasunkanmi Are-Ago, 20; Dolapo Olowu, 38, and Ochuko Adeniji, 33, were charged to the court by the police on a four-count charge of conspiracy, threat to kill and terrorism.

The Police prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, told the court that the defendants and others at large, conspired together to commit the alleged offence on June 6, 2013, at about 7.19 p.m at Ikotun Egbe, area of Lagos.

He said the defendant, one Mrs Abosede Owolabi, on her phone, intimidated and threatened to kidnap her, her son and husband.

Okoi alleged that the defendants threatened to kill the family unless a ransom of N5.5 million was paid into their bank account.

The prosecutor also claimed that the suspects sent three different bank account numbers to Owolabi for the payment of the ransom.

He said that the defendants intimidated and instilled fear in Owolabi through several calls and text messages sent to her phone.

Okoi also alleged that the defendants pasted a note on the gate of the Owolabi’s premises threatening to kill them within days, if they fail to pay the money.

The prosecutor said that the offence committed contravenes Sections 230, 402 and punishable under section 409, Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.

The defendants who reside at 4 Afiko Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, 18 Thompson Agbonifo Street Egbe, Lagos and Ijokedo Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, respectively, had their plea rejected by the court when they pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Magistrate Dan-Oni adjourned the matter to August, 12, 2013, for the DPP’s advice.